VIDBE-Q Volume 68 Issue 2
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were used to collect data in dynamic travel environments with varying weather
conditions, other pedestrians and bicyclists, and possible encounters with car
traffic. All travel routes had outdoor and indoor components and the participants
were accompanied by a researcher at all times. The wayfinding behavior of the
participants was recorded through video and any comments participants made or
questions that were asked were noted. Among other data, the researchers
measured the duration for the completion of the outdoor and indoor routes on an
individual basis. All participants were asked to travel two routes that were closely
matched in terms of their length and the total number of turns, using a tactile map
on one route and a wayfinding app on the other. The wayfinding experience was
followed by a focus group conversation with participants. All participants also
completed a number of surveys that captured their orientation and spatial
awareness abilities based on the Santa Barbara Sense of Direction Scale (Hegarty
et al., 2002) as well as information on their socio-demographic background and
visual function.
Key Findings
"Human wayfinding and navigation are key organizing activities that allow
human beings to acquire knowledge about the environment and develop cognitive
representations in support of such essential tasks as route planning and travel"
(Swobodzinski & Parker, 2019). Young adult participants in this study needed to
